Hilton Signs First Resort In South Korea

14th Jul 2005

Hilton
International and Emerson Pacific Inc. today
signed an agreement for Hilton to manage its first Hilton Worldwide Resort in Korea,
the Hilton Namhae Golf & Spa Resort.Scheduled to open in 2007, the 120-villa resort is located 290 kilometres south of
the capital on a scenic island peninsular that overlooks the Straits of Korea. The
resort will have the country’s first flat terrain 18-hole golf course built on
reclaimed sea front land. With a mild coastal climate and year-round playability, it
is expected to become the country’s leading course for professional golf
tournaments. The five-star resort also features a marina with boating and water
activities, a spa and health club and a swimming pool. A business centre and three
meetings rooms have a capacity for 200 delegates and will attract the mid week
meetings sector.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Millennium Seoul Hilton today, President for
Hilton International Middle East and Asia Pacific, Mr Koos Klein said, “Emerson
Pacific has a magnificent plan to develop a world-class resort for golfing
enthusiasts and their families. The company has a reputation for building superior
golf courses and every one of the 18 holes at Hilton Namhae Golf & Spa Resort will
offer full sea views, including seven holes along the waterfront and four holes that
require a ball to be hit across the sea. An equally exciting resort will match the
golf course. Hilton is delighted to be a partner with Emerson Pacific and to manage
what could easily become the Pebble Beach resort of Korea.”

Mr Jung-Myung Lee, Chairman of Emerson Pacific Group said, “Hilton International is
the most well-known hotel group in the world, with three hotels already in Korea and
a network of more than 500 Hilton hotels worldwide. By tapping into their existing
customer base, we have the potential to put our five star luxury resort on the
international map. The resort is located within a couple of hours flight of major
hub cities like Seoul, Taipei, Osaka, and Tokyo, all of which are known for having
golf and spa enthusiasts.”

Built on the highest point of a small rise between the first and second nine holes
of the golf course, the 120 Resort Villas offer 148.5 square metres of contemporary
living quarters with panoramic coastal views over the Straits of Korea. Two
equal-sized bedrooms, inspired by the colours of the ocean waves, and separated by
luxuriously appointed common areas, provide ample space for up to four golfers.
Spacious, curved balconies with zinc surfaces absorb and deflect sunlight at
different angles adding life to the structure.

In addition to the guest villas, the Resort will also be home to 22 private luxury
villas with 260.7 square metres of living area incorporating an inner courtyard
garden that opens to the sea. All rooms have been angled to fully capitalize on the
views. The private villas will be located on a second site with a private beach and
will be sold to individual investors. Hilton will be responsible for managing all
aspects of the resort except the private villas and the golf course, which will be
managed by experts, Emerson Pacific.

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The focal point of the resort activities will be the ultra modern clubhouse, which
has been designed to resemble an unfolding prism accommodating a restaurant, sauna,
banquette and spa. Meanwhile, to mark the 100th hole for Emerson Pacific Group, the
Namhae golf course will have an additional player’s hole for those not ready to give
up the game. This 19th “service” hole will become an event hole and will encapsulate
the Spirit of Emerson Pacific. ——-